X
The Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) has strongly criticised the government’s plan to introduce mandatory inspections for private vehicles older than four years, terming it unnecessary and financially punitive.
In a public statement posted on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, the association condemned the proposed inspection rules as a thinly veiled revenue-generation strategy disguised as a safety initiative.
“The Motorists Association of Kenya unequivocally condemns the government’s latest attempt to impose mandatory inspections on private vehicles,” the statement read.
“This proposal is not only unjustified but stands as a testament to shameless greed and an unrestrained appetite to squeeze Kenyan motorists dry.”
The association argued that the current inspection regime is already riddled with corruption and inefficiency, citing that over 90 percent of commercial vehicles secure inspection stickers without ever entering a test bay.
“Expanding this broken system to private vehicles will only replicate the same corruption at a greater cost to law-abiding citizens,” MAK warned.
Safety or revenue?
The backlash follows a fresh proposal by Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, who on June 20, 2025, unveiled a series of draft regulations targeting various transport sectors, including private motorists, commercial drivers, school transport providers, and PSV operators.
While the ministry has maintained that the proposed laws are necessary to enhance road safety, reduce emissions, and ensure older vehicles remain roadworthy, MAK has dismissed the rationale as misleading.
“Private cars are rarely the cause of road carnage in Kenya,” the group stated. “Crash statistics show that most accidents are due to human error, not mechanical failure, fueled by a compromised driver licensing system.”
The association further called on the government to focus on cleaning up licensing practices and improving enforcement rather than overregulating vehicle owners.
If enacted, the Traffic (Motor Vehicle Inspection) Rules 2025 would make regular inspections compulsory for all vehicles older than four years.
The proposed reforms also seek to reintroduce roadside alcohol testing using approved breathalyzers, blood, and urine samples, with refusal to comply set to attract penalties. The public has been given 14 days to submit feedback.
